LCDR Angela Girgenti, RDH, MPH, CPH Office on Women s Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services April 6, 2012

Transcription

1 LCDR Angela Girgenti, RDH, MPH, CPH Office on Women s Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services April 6, 2012

2 All federal programs and those receiving assistance from the federal government must take reasonable steps to ensure that persons who are limited English proficient have meaningful access to the programs, services, and information that those entities provide

3 No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. - Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

4 System Culture Competence

5 National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care (CLAS Standards)

6 Provides the framework for all health care organizations to best serve the nation s increasingly diverse communities Collective set of mandates, guidelines, and recommendations intended to inform, guide, and facilitate required and recommended practices related to culturally and linguistically appropriate health services Culturally Competent Care, Language Access Services and Organizational Supports

7 Culturally Competent Care Standards 1-3 Language Access Services Standards 4-7 Organizational Supports Standards 8-14

8 Guidelines (Standards 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13) are activities recommended by the OMH for adoption as mandates by Federal, State, and national accrediting agencies. Mandates (Standards 4, 5, 6, & 7) are current Federal requirements for all recipients of Federal funds Recommendations (Standard 14) are suggested by the OMH for voluntary adoption by health care organizations

9 4- Health care organizations must offer and provide language assistance services, including bilingual staff and interpreter services, at no cost to each patient/consumer with limited English proficiency at all points of contact, in a timely manner during all hours of operation. 5- Health care organizations must provide to patients/consumers in their preferred language both verbal offers and written notices informing them of their right to receive language assistance services.

10 6- Health care organizations must assure the competence of language assistance provided to limited English proficient patients or consumers by interpreters and bilingual staff. Family and friends should not be used to provide interpretation services (except on request by the patient/ consumer). 7- Health care organizations must make available easily understood patient-related materials and post signage in the languages of the commonly encountered groups and/or groups represented in the service area.

11 Designed for an interdisciplinary audience, including: Hospitals/Clinics Public health organizations Community- and faith-based organizations Institutions of higher education

12 Culturally Competent Care refers primarily to the relationship between providers and patients/clients, and the delivery of culturally competent care to patients and their families by individual or collective health professionals. Language Access Services (LAS) focus on facilitating communication during all points of contact during a patient s health encounter/experience. LAS also refers to educating community members about their rights and services. Organizational Supports focus on policies and procedures to help health providers and staff provide effective services to the community at every point of patient contact.

13 Goals of the Initiative: To examine the National CLAS Standards for their current relevance and applicability. To have the enhanced National CLAS Standards serve as the cornerstone for culturally and linguistically appropriate services in the United States.

14 Goals of the Initiative: To launch new and innovative promotion and marketing initiatives for the National CLAS Standards, including the use of social media. To coordinate the CLAS Standards with the Affordable Care Act and other cultural and linguistic competency provisions (e.g. Joint Commission, National Committee for Quality Assurance).

15 Development Process Research Literature Review Public Comment Advisory Committee Development Analysis Advisory Committee Drafting Launch Enhanced National CLAS Standards

16 CLAS is one strategy to eliminate health inequities. By tailoring services to an individual s culture and language preference, health professionals can help bring about positive health outcomes for diverse populations

17 An HHS Office of Minority Health initiative: Advancing health equity at every point of contact

18 Continuing education programs that equip health professionals with awareness, knowledge, and skills to serve diverse patients Up-to-date information on issues related to cultural competency and health disparities

19 Tracking of cultural competency legislation around the country Join the CLCCHC : e-newsletter and other resources

20 Cultural and linguistic competency is a journey, not a destination an ever expanding capacity to learn and grow.

21 To stay up-to-date on the CLAS Standards Enhancement Initiative, please visit and sign up for a monthly update